New chapters of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International (CSI) may be established in nationally accredited counselor education training programs (CACREP or CORE). The following information includes both steps and policies for forming and maintaining an active CSI chapter. Only active chapters are eligible to participate in CSI elections, initiate new members, and receive annual rebates.

In order to establish a chapter, there must be at least two members of the regular full-time (e.g., core, tenure-track, or equivalent) counseling program faculty (this does not include temporary, visiting, etc. faculty appointments) who are doctoral counselor education graduates (CACREP preferably) and who are active CSI members or eligible and willing to be members and serve as CFAs as needed. Such faculty applying for membership shall have their highest degree from a counselor education program and hold as their primary identity that of professional counselor.

A campus based residency is one of the defining characteristics of a campus based chapter. The campus residency involves opportunities for CSI members and faculty to meet individually, in small groups, and for presentations and ceremonies for educational, social, and professional purposes. CSI functions are expected to be a part of the co-curricular activities of the counselor education program some of which will be associated with the residency experiences.

Chapter rebates are an ongoing engagement and chapter assistance program of the CSI Headquarters Office. Active chapters that meet all requirements to receive rebates are provided this benefit automatically every year. Chapters that do not meet the requirements to remain active, that have not met the requirements to be eligible to receive rebates, that are not in good standing, or which otherwise have current organizational, legal or disciplinary matters in review by the CSI Executive Council may have rebates withheld, all or in part, depending on the outcome of such a review. Rebates currently are $10 per active annual member. Rebate checks are mailed to the Primary Chapter Faculty Advisor (CFA) in August of each year. Rebate checks must be cashed within the fiscal year in which they are issued. No uncashed rebate checks will be reissued or replaced once the fiscal year is over. Chapters requesting replacement of rebate checks may be assessed a processing fee to cover costs for staff and bookkeeper time and potential bank charges. The amount of any rebate check cashed outside of the fiscal year in which the check was issued will be deducted from any future chapter rebate. See CSI Approved Policies.

Requirements for Maintaining Active Chapter Status

Active chapters serve members best when they plan, implement, and assess their efforts to recognize and promote excellence. As a consequence, to maintain active chapter status and remain eligible to receive annual rebates and to initiate new members, a chapter must:

Submit an Annual Report by April 30th (present officers) at least once every two years.*

Submit an Annual Plan by September 30th (incoming officers) at least once every two years.*

Have a representative attend an annual CSI Delegate Business Meeting on CSI Day at least once every three years.

Comply with CSI policies as determined by the Executive Council (e.g., only authorized uses of the CSI registered logo; active CSI membership of CFAs; required number of approved CFAs serving who are active CSI members).

Send CSI Headquarters contact information of officers including the Chapter Faculty Advisor(s) annually and when there are changes.

To endorse and subsequently initiate new members, the chapter also must have the required number of CFAs approved (Primary and Back-Up/Co-CFA) and on record for the chapter. A CFA must be an active (current) CSI member, and remain an active member, as required by Article 9 of the CSI Bylaws.

It is a chapter's responsibility to comply, but CSI Headquarters may be contacted for help determining current active chapter status. CSI is open to alternative methods of serving our members (their students and graduates) but we are resolved that every member must have readily available access to their CFA and regular activities of their chapters including opportunity for mentoring, participation in chapter service projects, nomination for offices, awards, grants, fellowships, etc. Chapters may be deactivated for failure to do so. The required Annual Plans and Annual Reports help CSI to determine compliance.

When a chapter fails to maintain active chapter status, the chapter may be categorized as inactive. The chapter status indicated within a chapter's online profile will indicate one of the following categories based on the last inactivated date:

Pending (inactive less than one year)

Inactive (inactive 1-5 years)

Removed (inactive more than 5 years)

* It is highly recommended that active chapters submit Annual Reports and Annual Plans each year so that new officers may develop leadership skills through meeting CSI requirements. Chapter reports are reviewed annually and continued active chapter status requires that CSI guidelines and policies are consistently followed in chapter activities.

Establishing a New Chapter

New chapters of CSI may only be established in nationally accredited counselor education programs (CACREP and/or CORE). It is CSI's policy to correspond directly with the proposed Chapter Faculty Advisors (CFAs) who are able to speak on behalf of the counselor education program and who will be responsible for oversight of the chapter.

Ensure that the $150 New Chapter Application Fee is submitted. Payment may be made online using a credit card or PayPal, or an invoice may be requested to pay the fee by a university/chapter purchase order or check.

New Chapter Applications will be reviewed within 30 days once ALL application materials are received including verification of active CSI Membership for proposed CFAs.

Reactivating a Chapter

Chapters that do not meet the Requirements for Maintaining Active Chapter Status will be declared inactive and unable to vote in CSI elections, initiate new members, or receive chapter rebates until reactivation criteria have been met. To reactivate a chapter, there must be at least two full time counseling program faculty who are doctoral counselor education graduates (CACREP preferably), active CSI members or eligible to be members, and willing to serve as the Primary CFA and Back-Up CFA as needed. CFAs must be approved by CSI.

Reactivating chapters must be located in nationally accredited counselor education programs (CACREP and/or CORE). It is CSI's policy to correspond directly with the proposed CFAs who are able to speak on behalf of the counselor education program and who will be responsible for oversight of the chapter.

Ensure that the $75 Reactivating Chapter Fee is submitted. Payment may be made via online using a credit card or PayPal, or an invoice may be requested to pay the fee by a university/chapter purchase order or check.

Chapter Reactivations will be reviewed within 30 days once ALL application materials are received including verification of active CSI Membership for proposed CFAs.